Plant Profile
Psychotria hawaiiensis
Kōpiko, Kōpiko ʻula, ʻŌpiko
Main Plant Information
Genus
Psychotria
Species
hawaiiensis
Varieties
- hawaiiensis
- hillebrandii
- scoriacea
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Kōpiko
- Kōpiko ʻula
- ʻŌpiko
Hawaiian Names
- Kopiko
- Kopiko ula
- Opiko
Synonyms
- Psychotria hawaiiensis var. glomerata
- Straussia glomerata
- Straussia hawaiensis
- Straussia hillebrandii
- Straussia oncocarpa var. scoriacea
Plant Characteristics
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Tree
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Tree, Dwarf, Less than 15
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
- Tree, Medium, 30 to 50
Mature Size, Width
The maximum height of kōpiko ʻula is recorded at 45 feet with a spread of 30 feet. [1] This would, of course, be an older mature tree and not likely to reach such measurements under cultivation.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
No data available.
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Characteristics
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Greenish-White
- White
Leaf Characteristics
Plant texture
No data available.
Pests and Diseases
Growth Requirements
Water Requirements
- Moist
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Partial sun
Environmental Information
Natural Range
- Molokaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 150 to 1000, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 150 to 1000, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 2000 to 2999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 2000 to 2999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 3000 to 3999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 3000 to 3999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 3000 to 3999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 4000 to 4999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 4000 to 4999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 4000 to 4999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
Additional Habitat Information
Kōpiko ʻula ( Psychotria hawaiiensis ) is found in wet, sometimes dry to mesic forests as an understory plant from 500 to over 5200 feet (var. hawaiiensis ).
Though found on Molokaʻi and Maui, it is most common on Hawaiʻi Island.
Pyschotria hawaiiensis intergrades with P. mauiensis especially in the Kohala Mountains, Hawaiʻi.
Special Features and Information
Etymology
The generic name Psychotria is derived from the Greek psychros , cold, and trophos , feeder, literally meaning refreshment, in reference to the reputed medicinal properties of some in this genus. [3]
The specific Latin name hawaiiensis , means “from Hawaiʻi.”
Background Information
The underside leaves of kōpiko ʻula is a great place to look for the tiny endemic Happy face spiders or nananana makakiʻi ( Theridion grallator ). [4]
The fruit is part of the diet of ʻōmaʻo or Hawaiian thrush ( Myadestes obscurus ).
Early Hawaiian Use
The hard whitish wood of this species and other kōpiko were used by the Hawaiians for anvils or kua kuku for beating kapa, as well as for fuel. [1,2]
Additional References
[1] Hawaiian Dictionaries http://wehewehe.org [Accessed 5/05/10]
[2] “Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced) by Elbert L. Little, Jr. and Roger G. Skolmen, page 354.
[3] “The Names of Plants” by David Gledhill, page 318.
[4] “Hawai’i’s Plants and Animals–Biological Sketches of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park” by Charles P. Stone & Linda W. Pratt, page 231.
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